Francesco Farioli Quits Ajax After Dramatic Eredivisie Title Collapse
Erik ten Hag Among Leading Candidates to Replace Departing Ajax Boss
There are heartbreaks in football, and then there are collapses that go down in history. The latter is what Ajax fans witnessed this season as their club, once cruising towards another Eredivisie title, stumbled at the final hurdle. And now, the fallout has begun. In the wake of a gut-wrenching end to the 2024-25 season, Ajax head coach Francesco Farioli has officially stepped down from his role.
In a statement that has left many fans shocked and emotional, Ajax confirmed on Sunday night that Farioli has resigned following the club’s dramatic collapse in the Eredivisie title race. The Italian tactician, visibly emotional after Ajax’s final game against FC Twente, reportedly made his decision after a weekend filled with soul-searching.
“Francesco Farioli has decided to leave Ajax after careful consideration. The head coach has informed the club’s board of his decision,” the club said in its official release.
Ajax boss Francesco Farioli has left the club after a momumental title race collapse as Erik ten Hag has emerged as a candidate to replace him.
A Season That Promised So Much
Just a week ago, Ajax were in the driver’s seat. They had led the Eredivisie table for most of the season, building what many thought was an insurmountable lead. But football, as we all know, has a cruel sense of timing. Their penultimate fixture against Groningen turned out to be the stuff of nightmares. After leading the game, Ajax conceded a 99th-minute equalizer—a goal that would ultimately cost them the title.
That draw opened the door for PSV Eindhoven, who seized their opportunity and won their final game to clinch the Eredivisie title by a single point. It was a painful twist for Ajax, and for Farioli, it proved to be one heartbreak too many.
What made the moment even more poignant was Farioli’s visible heartbreak after the final whistle against Twente. Cameras captured the 35-year-old coach on the sidelines, wiping away tears as the reality of what had just occurred set in. It was an emotional end to a rollercoaster campaign, and one that will sting for a long time among Ajax faithful.
Though young and relatively new to the European elite, Farioli had injected fresh tactical ideas and an attacking vibrancy into this Ajax side. But in the end, even tactical flair wasn’t enough to hold off the relentless chase of PSV.
The Search for a Successor Begins
Now that Farioli has officially exited, the Ajax hierarchy has turned its attention to finding a new manager. And the list of potential replacements is already making headlines.
According to Dutch journalist Mike Verweij of De Telegraaf,Erik ten Hag is one of the prime candidates. The former Ajax boss, who led the team to the Champions League semi-finals in 2019 and later managed Manchester United, is currently without a club after parting ways with United in October 2024. Reports indicate that preliminary talks have already taken place.
Another name in the frame is Go Ahead Eagles manager Paul Simonis, a rising star in Dutch football coaching circles. While Erik Ten Hag’s return would be a romantic and potentially stabilizing move, Simonis offers a younger, perhaps longer-term option.
Could Ten Hag Return to Amsterdam?
A reunion with Erik ten Hag would no doubt stir excitement at the Johan Cruyff Arena. Erik Ten Hag’s time at Ajax was widely regarded as one of the most successful and stylish eras in recent memory. His sides played fearless, intelligent football and restored Ajax as a European powerhouse.
But questions remain. After a mixed spell at Manchester United and several months out of the game, is Erik Ten Hag ready to dive back into the intense world of Dutch football? And is he the right man to rebuild Ajax after such a devastating collapse?
Interestingly, Erik Ten Hag is also being linked with other high-profile opportunities. Reports in Germany suggest that Bayer Leverkusen is eyeing the Dutchman as a replacement for Xabi Alonso, should the Spaniard not extend his stay. Cesc Fabregas, currently at Como, is also in that conversation.
What’s Next for Farioli?
While much of the spotlight has been on his departure, Francesco Farioli’s next move is still uncertain. Despite the ending, Farioli’s stock remains relatively high. His ability to get Ajax playing attractive football and mount a serious title challenge in his debut season has not gone unnoticed.
Some rumors have linked him with clubs in Italy and even a possible return to Turkey, where he previously managed Fatih Karagümrük and Alanyaspor. Whatever the next chapter holds, Farioli will be seen as a promising manager with lessons learned the hard way.
A Club at a Crossroads
For Ajax, this is more than just a managerial change. This is a pivotal moment in the club’s trajectory. After missing out on the title in the most painful way imaginable, how the club responds over the summer will define the years ahead. Will they go back to a proven name like Erik Ten Hag? Or will they take a chance on a new visionary?
What is certain is that the club cannot afford another collapse. The fans, the players, and the city will demand a response—one that can turn heartbreak into hunger, and disappointment into dominance.
As the dust settles in Amsterdam, one thing remains true: the Ajax story is far from over. But for Francesco Farioli, this chapter has come to a tearful end.
